Rather than dollars, we need ideas and knowledge, Modi tells World Bank chief

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oi-Staff

By Super

Published: Thursday, July 24, 2014, 9:14 [IST]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told World Bank president Jim Yong Kim that India requires ideas, knowledge and expertise "rather than dollars" as there is a need to focus on developing a base of skilled people keeping the future in mind.

During a meeting here, Modi also suggested to Kim that the cleaning of the Ganga would be a very inspiring project for the World Bank.

"My meeting with World Bank president Mr Jim Yong Kim was very fruitful. We discussed several ways of working together in the times to come," Modi said.

In a series of tweets, he said the two talked about the importance of scale and the need to work on a scale that inspires people and positively transforms their lives.

"Rather than dollars, we are more interested in knowledge & expertise of World Bank. Dr Kim agreed & said WB can be our information bank," the Prime Minister said.

"We want ideas from the World Bank not only on mass production but also on production by masses, which will benefit our workforce," he added.

Noting that the world today focusses on trade in goods, he said that in future the core issue will be how to get skilled people. "We need to work in this direction".

Modi also laid emphasis on speedy implementation of programmes undertaken by the World Bank.

"We live in a world where speed matters. Quick execution is essential. Speeding up World Bank projects will surely increase the impact," he said.

PTI